ADMISSIONS POLICY

Philosophy

The International Schools Partnership seeks to admit students that are willing and able to benefit from the curricula and learning practices of the individual school to which the student applies. Each ISP School varies in approach and ability to serve the needs of children, but the overarching mission and values of the network establish a baseline from which each school can further detail its admissions policy. The goal of the admissions process is to establish a good fit between the prospective student and the school.  Admitting the student must always be in the best interest of both.

ISP Schools including Palacio de Granda can serve:

  1. Students with a broad range of academic abilities, due to the highly individualized learning that occurs in the classroom
  2. Students from every country and cultural tradition in the world, due to a global focus and worldwide perspective to learning
  3. Students in transition (e.g. expatriate students), due to support from the school to assist transition to/from the international arena
  4. Students with English as an Additional Language needs, due to the diversity of the student population and the international nature of the school
  5. Students with learning difficulties that are able to access the curriculum

ISP Schools including Palacio de Granda are unable to serve:

  1. Students with major social difficulties that significantly inhibit learning in the classroom, due to the social nature of learning in ISP Schools
  2. Students with major behavioral issues that significantly inhibit the learning of others in the classroom, due to the collaborative nature of classrooms in ISP Schools
  3. Students who are unable to access the curriculum due to severe learning difficulties or other difficulties

Individual ISP Schools including Palacio de Granda may or may not be able to serve the following:

  1. Palacio de Granda operates a personalized induction programme for languages which is supported by staff on a needs basis. An extra charge will cover the hours of teaching and support that is necessary until the pupil is able to access the full or agreed curriculum.
  2. Students with moderate to severe learning difficulties that are supported by staff/tutors externally, not paid for by the school. Palacio de Granda will assess the needs of each pupil using
    1. diagnostic reports provided by parents of external evaluations already existing,
    2. internal diagnostic evaluation by our expert staff: Special Educational Needs staff, Psychologist and Speech Therapist
    3. a trial period to assess the pupil in situ.

Any pupil with special educational needs or a statement may require additional support at an extra charge and will be admitted if they are able to access the curriculum and will benefit from the educational environment at Palacio de Granda. The school does not have a dedicated Special Needs Department for severe learning difficulties.

As with all admissions decisions, the final decision whether or not to admit a student rests with the Principal. The Admissions Manager administrates the application and enrollment process, and makes a recommendation for acceptance to the Principal of a prospective student.

General Guidelines

The Head of Admissions is responsible for marketing the school, along with the Head of Marketing, in the broader community in order to recruit prospective students, guiding prospective families through the admissions process, and ensuring a smooth transition for new families into the school.

In order for student recruitment to be effective, the Admissions Manager works in partnership with teachers, administrative staff, and leadership staff. Parents play an important part in the smooth transition of new children into our schools. Current families are encouraged to act as ambassadors for new families, with the Admissions Manager as facilitator.

Prospective families will be treated with the highest degree of customer care, being sensitive to disruption of existing classes during periods of recruitment.

During the application process, all materials are handled in a confidential manner, with files pertaining to admissions placed in a secured and locked location. Transfer of information between and liaison with the Admissions and Administration Offices occurs on a regular basis.